Roffey CC have done the Sussex league and cup double – and an explosive ton by Frankie Cripps went a long way to securing it.

After being crowned league champions two weeks ago, Roffey went to Sussex’s Hove HQ to meet Preston Nomads in the Daniel Oliver T20 Cup final on Sunday evening.

Nomads’ strong side were looking to add to their impressive trophy cabinet and Roffey were eager to complete the double.

It was a final to remember - with Roffey winning comfortably despite a desperately awful start that was rescued the most wonderfully belligerent century from Cripps.

Roffey CC celebrate their Daniel Oliver T20 Cup win at Hove | Picture by Mark Dunford

placeholder image — Roffey CC celebrate their Daniel Oliver T20 Cup win at Hove | Picture by Mark Dunford

Put in, Roffey lost both openers for ducks, soon to be followed by both Andrew Rambaran and Matt Davies and from 32-4 there were real fears of Nomads cinching an early finish.

Enter Cripps to turn the game on its head. Another wicket fell reducing Roffey to 51-5 with half the overs gone, but that was as good as it got for Nomads,

Cripps and Ben Remfry posted an unbeaten partnership of 141 in the last 10 overs with Cripps in full flight.

Well supported by Remfry, Cripps took off, crashing 12 towering sixes and seven fours as he charged to 126 not out from a mere 49 balls, with bowlers suffering terrifying damage.

Frankie Cripps hits a six on his way to his match-winning ton | Beth Chapman

Chasing a daunting 193 target, Nomads also got off to a bad start, staggering to 29-4 with the cream of their impressive batting line-up back in the dugout.

Archie Lenham and Zan Copleston put on 42 but as further wickets fell the required run rate escalated from over 12 an over to impossible proportions.

Tight bowling and enthusiastic fielding restricted Nomads to 135-8 for Roffey to win by 57 runs.

Amid the elated crowd of Roffey supporters, skipper Sam Henderson said: “Frankie was amazing after I thought we were going to be all out for 80 – from the start we had I can’t believe that I didn’t have to bat.

Freddie Price bowls for Roffey in the final | Beth Chapman

“Frankie’s innings was the best I’ve ever seen from a club batsman.”

Cripps said: “When I went in I really didn’t think there was much hope for us and I was very nervous until I got to 40. I’ve had one or two good scores in the league, but never before in T20.”

His proud family at the ground were delighted, grandmother Janet Dear telling the County Times: “After his time in the Sussex Academy it was great to see him come back and do that here at Hove. Once he got in I knew he’d just keep going.”

Some 43 teams had entered the competition and this was a very fitting end to a wonderfully entertaining season in such good weather.